Mushaboom • Daryl Dixon

23

Daryl

My head was swimming.

Rick was on the porch with Judith when I made my way back to the house. I'd seen him there before taking the guns back and hoped he'd go in but there he still was.

I was spent from those last 30 minutes with Rachel. Shit was heavy. It hurt, saying everything I said. But there was less of it on my chest, just as I felt once we finally got it out the first time. I wanted to hide from it all. From everyone. Just for a bit.. But Rick was still there.

As I made my way up the stairs, he propped her up a bit higher so she could face me more. I walked up to the two sitting and he motioned her up a bit, asking me to grab her. I dropped the duffle bag and took that last step. I reached out for her and her arms followed suit. Her tiny warm hands reached up and I felt them on my cheeks. It lasted a second before she dropped her hands and rested her head on my shoulder.

I held her close enough to slightly rest my cheek on her head. It brought me out of my head in a way. I steadied myself with a good breath in before rasping out, "She's ready ta snooze."

"Yeah.. Carol's putting something together. Then she'll knock right out"

I scoffed under my breath while I rubbed her small back.

"You went out with Rachel?" He tried keeping his face neutral, but his eyes were always so readable.

I bit my cheek, the mental exhaustion made its way to my shoulders, but I pushed to keep it at bay, "Yeah.. Library for her program thing, for the people we bring back."

Rick nodded, "How'd that go?"

I dipped my head lightly, "Fine.. We found what she needed and some other things. Carl's gonna be stoked."

"Thank you.." His eyes glanced over to the duffle.

"Got a few books for this one," I said, bringing my head back a bit to get a good look at her, and hoping he'd just drop it.

"So.. How are you two?" he asked more directly.

I shrugged, "S'fine.. I think we're good."

He nodded slowly and finally brought his attention back to Judith, "That's good."

The door opened and Carol was standing there. "There you are. Where'd you disappear to?"

I quickly shrugged my shoulders and shook my head nonchalantly, or at least I tried to,"Quick Run."

Rick reached for Judith and gave me an apologetic look before taking his leave. Carol noticed and her brows furrowed, "Quick run? With who?"

I gave her a look and a small "O" shape formed on her mouth, she tried to hide it, but her eyes smiled, "How's that going?"

I huffed lightly, and reached for the duffle bag to the side of me, "S'fine."

"Fine. But I want to hear about it soon. You can't avoid me forever." She had crossed her arms and was already turning away when I caught the slyest smile.

I shook my head, followed her inside and headed straight to my room. I dropped my bow on the chair next to the door, shrugged off my vest, and threw my self face first onto the bed, hiding my sight into the covers.